Leave EC to do its work - President Mahama admonishes political parties
President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to political parties to give the Electoral Commission (EC) the peace to do its work.
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He said demonstrations against the EC could negatively affect the country's democratic credentials and so any party with concerns over the electoral process must use the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) for redress.
President Mahama made the call when he joined Tijaniyya Muslims in Ghana and others from some parts of West Africa to observe Mawlid, the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed.
Mohammed was born in Mecca in the year 570 AD.
The exact date of his birth is, however, unclear, a situation that has led Sunni and Shia Muslims to observe Mawlid on different days.
Kumasi event
The celebration started from about 11 p.m. last Saturday and went on till about 3 a.m. yesterday.
Muslim leaders, including the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, were in attendance.
Also present were government officials and the running mate of the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.
Constitutional provision
President Mahama said the 1992 Constitution guaranteed the independence of the EC, a fact which must be respected by all.
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In that respect, he said, no one, including the President, could subject the commission to any form of control.
He asked young persons who had attained 18 years to take the upcoming limited registration exercise seriously for them to exercise their franchise during this year's elections.
Security
Touching on the rise in terrorist attacks all over the world, the President said it had become imperative that the country take measures to recognise and prevent any such move against the nation.
Describing Islam as a religion of peace, he expressed concern that some extremists were committing terrorist acts in the name of the religion.
He urged Ghanaians to open their eyes wide in order to prevent anyone or group of people from using them to pursue thier negative agenda.
"Ghana is far bigger than any individual and group of people," he said.
The President gave an assurance that the security agencies were firm on the ground to keep the nation safe.
Development strides
He said Ghana was making strides in its development, noting that the government continued to undertake development projects to enhance the standard of living of the people.
President Mahama announced that the Tijaniyya Senior High School had been absorbed into the public system.
The Head of the Tijaniyya Mission in West Africa, Imam Skaykh Tojani Cisse of Senegal, urged the Muslims to take education seriously since it would position them and the religion on a good path towards the future.
He also urged Muslims to avoid acts that would give the religion a bad name since the Holy Prophet Mohammed was a man of peace.
The President of the Tijaniyya sect in Ghana, Sheikh Abdul Wadud Haruna, said the Tijaniyya Movement was undertaking development projects, especially, in the education sector.
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Muslim leaders
Other Muslim leaders who spoke at the event centred their addresses on the peace and the development of the nation.
They gave assurances that Muslims would continue to play their role effectively.
The Chief Imam said special prayers for the President and the nation.